TEGA CAY -- Most residents oppose Wal-Mart's plans to build a store in Tega Cay, a group opposed to the store told the City Council on Monday.

Us Against the Wal conducted a survey over three weeks, group spokeswoman Hope MacBride told the council as she presented the findings.

The group says it conducted 896 one-on-one interviews between Aug. 23 and Oct. 17. McBride said the group used strict rules for accepting responses, only talking to Tega Cay residents older than 18 at their homes or at three open petition booths over three weekends at Trailhead Park in the city.

People were allowed to sign a petition for Wal-Mart, against Wal-Mart or list themselves as undecided. The petition drives were advertised twice, MacBride said.

"Opinions were respected," MacBride said, reading from the handout.

The group's survey found 68 percent of the Tega Cay residents who responded oppose Wal-Mart.

"We believe there is conclusive evidence that Tega Cay residents are opposed to Wal-Mart in the Tega Cay-Fort Mill area," MacBride said. "We believe it is your responsibility as City Council members to vote the opinions of your constituents."

Another poll conducted by the Fort Mill Times in September found 53.3 percent of respondents in both Tega Cay and Fort Mill Township area support Wal-Mart.

MacBride then gave the petition results, as well as copies of all the signatures on the petitions to the council, with each member getting a copy.

Mayor Bob Runde accepted the survey but did not comment on the results.

He did say the City Council had met earlier in the day with representatives of developers of Stonecrest, a 122-acre development off Dam Road and S.C. 160 where Wal-Mart would be built.

The developers want the city to annex Stonecrest. Wal-Mart representatives and lawyers were also at the closed meeting. Runde said the council took no action at that meeting.

Many residents came to Monday night's meeting to speak against Wal-Mart.

"These people flat do not want a Wal-Mart," said Roberta Whitaker of Tega Cay.

Darlene Hanson said she lives in Palmetto Plantation, which will be close to the proposed Wal-Mart. She said she's concerned about crime coming to the area with the Wal-Mart.

"This will bring people here who won't normally come here," she said.

She and her husband are considering a move into Tega Cay. If the city lets Wal-Mart in, the couple will move somewhere else, she said.